Boron compounds generally produce a battery with high energy density. Since boron is an excellent conductor of electricity a battery with a high power density can also be achieved. With this objective, the electrochemical characteristics of boron carbide (B4C) added manganese dioxide (MnO2) for use as a cathode in alkaline battery were investigated during the discharge-charge process. Results of electrochemical measurements, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy show that boron aids the formation of lithium intercalated MnO2 (LixMnO2) during discharge with some degree of reversibility, however, capacity fade and a steep voltage profile is observed. The addition of boron nitride (BN) improved the discharge performance and characteristics of the cell are also compared and discussed. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.